The Book Depository Go for Beginners by Kaoru Iwamoto
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Price: £13.95
Brand: The Book Depository
Description: Go for Beginners : Paperback : Random House USA Inc : 9780394733319 : 0394733312 : 12 Mar 1977 : Go is an ancient, subtly beautiful game of territory. But with its nearly endless possibilities and challenges, it is more than just another game; it is a way of life for tens of millions of players throughout the world. Embodying four thousand years of Oriental thought and culture, go is the oldest game in the world still played in its original form. Go is the kind of game that one can learn in a day - and spend a lifetime perfecting. It is more art than science: in order to surround and capture. The Book Depository Go for Beginners by Kaoru Iwamoto - shop the best deal online on thebookbug.co.uk
Category: Books
Merchant: The Book Depository
Product ID: 9780394733319
MPN: 0394733312
GTIN: 9780394733319
Author: Eric Beazley
Rating: 5
Review: Very well written.
Author: Scott Marshall
Rating: 3
Review: This book comprehensively covers the game of Go, and justifies the word "Beginners" in the title by at least starting with the basics. But sadly I wouldn't recommend it as a book suitable for someone completely new to learning the game. Iwamoto's knowledge is impressive, and his writing style clear and descriptive. But what he offers is more a demonstration of his own Go understanding, rather than explanations to help others understand. The style is concise (but not terse), and moves rapidly from the basics through increasingly complex board positions and plays. But too often he dismisses a new layout of stones (just a jumble of black and white to the novice!) with statements such as "in this position, black's best move is obvious..." It may well be obvious to an expert, but the whole point of the book ought to be to explain why a certain move is the correct/best one - and the lack of this explanation makes the book frustrating and ultimately unsuitable for beginners. The style is also occasionally patronising - Iwamoto refers to one common beginner's error as "boorish behaviour" which is neither helpful nor encouraging to a novice looking to an expert for advice and motivation. This book's strength however is its comprehensive coverage in a neat and small package. I think it works much better as an 'aide memoire' for the developing player, who is past the novice stage and wants some reminders of strategy and positional play to bolster learning gained elsewhere. Approach this book with that aim and it succeeds wonderfully. Approach it as a complete beginner wanting a gentle, hand-holding introduction, and you may be confused and disappointed. (Personally, I found 'Teach Yourself Go' by Charles Matthews much more suitable for a complete beginner to the game).
